WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. From Paul Wood, The Mayor's Office. UPDATED 7:30 A.M., July 30, 2003: The City of White Plains is "puzzled" by the withdrawal of the Jewish Board of Family and Childrens Services lawsuit against the Zoning Board, and has not had any contact with the Board as to their intentions regarding the 139 Walworth Avenue home they originally intended to turn into a group home for troubled teens.

In an interview last night, George Gretsas, the Mayor's Executive Officer said as of last night the city had received no new application from the Board regarding the property, had no contact, and had received no notification of what their intentions are at this time.

 The Jewish Board of  Family and Children's Services in a statement Tuesday announced that they are moving forward with their plans for 139 Walworth Avenue, but has chosen not to clarify what they mean by that.

The Mayor's office announced  that the Jewish Board of Family and Childrens Services has withdrawn its lawsuit filed against the White Plains Zoning Board of Appeals late Monday when the Zoning Board revoked the Building Permit issued by the White Plains Building Department enabling renovation of the 139 Walworth Avenue home to house troubled teenagers.

Tuesday, the Jewish Board faxed this statement to WPCNR: "We chose not to continue to pursue the Article 78 lawsuit related to the property at 139 Walworth Avenue in White Plains as we were able to resolve the concerns raised at the hearing of the White Plains Zoning Board. Accordingly, we are committed to moving forward with our plans to provide vital services to people in need."

 A JBFCS contact would not say whether or not the home would proceed and suggested we e-mail the Board spokesperson our question.

The Fisher Hill Neighborhood protested conversion of the home to a group home on the grounds that it was not going to be a family living situation, with different supervisors coming and going over a 24 hour day. The neighborhood also feared the teenagers would be a threat to the neighborhood's security. They filed a protest with the Zoning Board of Appeals to overturn the Building Permit and the Zoning Board agreed with their arguments. Upon which the Jewish Board of Family and Childrens Services sued the Zoning Board.